Six Nations
Flannery's suspension stands
2010-03-03 19:35
Email | Print
London - Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery will miss the remainder of the Six Nations after his appeal against a six-week suspension for kicking an opponent was dismissed here on Wednesday.
The decision means Flannery, who was left out of the Ireland side that beat England 20-16 at Twickenham on Saturday, where Rory Best took his place, will now also miss the team's remaining two matches in the tournament, at home to Wales and Scotland, on March 13 and 20 respectively.
However, a disciplinary panel chaired by England's Judge Jeff Blackett also dismissed a 'cross-appeal' from the Six Nations disciplinary officer which had the potential to extend Flannery's suspension.
"The appeal committee upheld the original disciplinary committee's finding that the act of foul play was in the mid-range of offending defined by IRB (International Rugby Board) Regulation 17 and that the level of net mitigation applied was within the correct margin of appreciation," said a Six Nations statement issued Wednesday.
Flannery did well to stay on the Stade de France pitch after avoiding both a yellow and a red card from English referee Wayne Barnes, who simply awarded France a penalty after the front row's wild kick at Brive wing Palisson, who had picked up a loose ball.